No further school fee increases in Abu Dhabi, says ADEC

The Abu Dhabi Education Council has announced that no further increases in tuition fees will be allowed at schools in the emirate in 2016/17.

The education regulator will also fine any schools found to have increased their fees without the correct approvals.

Earlier this year, ADEC approved fee increases for 51 private schools. ADEC also said 39 schools were denied permission to increase their fees.

The average fee increase at schools that have received approvals is 6%.

To qualify for a fee increases, schools had to meet a number of criteria set by ADEC. These include recruitment and professional development of qualified staff, maintenance and expansion of school premises and facilities, recruitment of Emirati teaching and administrative staff, and admission of students with special education needs with support for any learning difficulties.